U.S. patent application number 13/694915 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for medical walk-regaining staff and related methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lynn M. Carlson. Invention is credited to Lynn M. Carlson.
Application Number | 20140205979 13/694915 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51207961 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140205979 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carlson; Lynn M. |
July 24, 2014 |
Medical walk-regaining staff and related methods
Abstract
A hand-held cane or walking staff, with a lower end pedestal
positioned on the ground or a floor so that a low profile cross
piece is located in front of one of the user's feet, stimulating
the brain of the user to accommodate the lifting of the user's
foot, followed by stepping over the cross piece and additional
steps thereafter, while carrying the staff in one hand by grasping
an upper handle of the walking staff.
Inventors: |
Carlson; Lynn M.; (Salt Lake
City, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Carlson; Lynn M. |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51207961 |
Appl. No.: |
13/694915 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/247 ; 135/65;
135/66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/12 20130101;
A63B 21/00047 20130101; A61H 2003/0205 20130101; A63B 2022/0094
20130101; A63B 2225/685 20130101; A63B 26/00 20130101; A61H 3/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/247 ; 135/65;
135/66 |
International
Class: |
A45B 7/00 20060101
A45B007/00; A63B 26/00 20060101 A63B026/00; A45B 3/00 20060101
A45B003/00 |
Claims
1. A hand-held portable walking instrument for retraining an
afflicted person having an ailment curtailing an ability to walk
comprising: an upper end comprising a handle grasped by the
afflicted person for manual manipulation of the walking instrument;
a lower end comprising a floor and ground-engaging end having a low
profile male extension positioned juxtaposed one foot of the
afflicted person to stimulate the brain accommodating lifting and
forward movement of the one foot above and over the male extension;
a central portion unitarily interconnecting the upper end and the
lower end.
2. A walking instrument according to claim 1 wherein the handle is
cantilevered from the central portion to extend in a generally
horizontal direction.
3. A walking instrument according to claim 1 wherein the handle is
connected to the central portion to extend in a non-horizontal
direction.
4. A walking instrument according to claim 1 wherein the central
portion is essentially straight and extends generally in a vertical
direction.
5. A walking instrument according to claim 1 wherein the handle is
not straight.
6. A walking instrument according to claim 1 wherein the male
extension comprises a floor and ground bar.
7. A walking instrument according to claim 1 wherein the lower end
further comprises a pedestal which stably engages the floor and
ground.
8. A walking instrument according to claim 1 further comprising a
communication device carried by the instrument.
9. A walking instrument according to claim 8 wherein the
communication device is selected from the group consisting of a GPS
device and a cell phone.
10. A walking instrument according to claim 1 further comprising a
fluorescent substance, which glows in the dark.
11. A method of accommodating re-trained walking by an afflicted
person having an ailment curtailing an ability to walk comprising
the acts of: grasping an upper handle of a hand-held retraining
instrument for manipulation of the instrument; manually placing a
lower element of the instrument as a low profile obstruction in
front of one foot of the afflicted person while the person is
standing thereby stimulating the person's brain to accommodate
lifting of the foot from a support surface, advanced over the
obstruction and thereafter place the foot on the support
surface.
12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising the acts of
causing additional steps to be taken by the afflicted person after
the initial step without use of the instrument.
13. A method according to claim 12 further comprising repeating the
grasping and placing steps when and if the additional steps cease.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to articles and
methods by which persons afflicted with mobility disabilities, such
as Parkinsons Disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), can
re-train their minds and thus be self-taught or stimulated to walk
once more. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
hand-held device, and related methods, by which the brain of one
afflicted by PD, MS or the like is simulated to accommodate the
person to stepping over a floor or ground-engaging obstacle bar,
after which additional steps are typically accommodated.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Those afflicted with PD, MS and like ailments are typically
subjected to an inability to walk (anti-mobility). If left alone,
the afflicted person may, for hours or days, be unable to walk,
while wishing to do so. Such lack of mobility brings into existence
dangers and deeply negatively impacts the quality of life, creating
a need for regular, if not constant assistance.
[0003] Previously no remedy for the above-mentioned lack of
mobility problem has been found. The benefits of a remedy would be
significant to those so afflicted and the ones who care for the
afflicted.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In brief summary, the present invention provides a remedy
for the lack of mobility experienced rsons afflicted with PD, MS
and like disorders, by which the brain is stimulated to facilitate
ng by the afflicted. Restated, the invention allows the re-training
of the mind of the afflicted so as ulate an initiate and subsequent
walking steps by the afflicted.
[0005] A hand-held device, and related methods, are provided, by
which the brain of one afflicted is vated so that the person is
able to step over a low profile floor or ground-engaging obstacle
of the , after which additional steps, without aid of the device,
are accommodated. On the journey, difficulty in walking be
encountered, the device may be used one or more additional times,
so alking is recommenced.
[0006] While the invention may take other forms, it is presently
preferred that the invention comprise eld cane or walking staff,
with a lower end pedestal positioned on the ground or a floor so
that a ofile cross piece is located in front of one of the user's
feet, stimulating the brain of the user to modate the lifting of
the user's foot, followed by stepping over the cross piece and
additional hereafter, while carrying the staff in one hand by
grasping an upper handle of the walking staff. ably, the pedestal,
when resting on a floor or the ground, is stable.
[0007] With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the
present invention to provide devices, ated methods, by which
persons afflicted by PD, MS and the like may regain the ability to
walk.
[0008] Another paramount object is the provision of devices and
related methods by which the mind of n afflicted with PD, MS and
the like, is stimulated to accommodate an initial and subsequent g
steps using the device and methods.
[0009] A further dominant object is the provision of a hand-held
device, and related methods, by which n afflicted with an ailment,
which prevents or curtails walking, is able to walk once more.
[0010] An additional important object is the provision of a
hand-held device, and related methods, the device comprising a
lower end low profile obstruction placed in front of one foot of a
person afflicted with PD, MS and the like, to stimulate a step over
the obstruction, followed by additional steps without the use of
the bar.
[0011] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will be apparent from the following detailed description
taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a presently preferred staff for
re-training, persons afflicted with PD, MS and the like to walk
once more;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the upper
handle of the staff of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the
pedestal at the lower end of the staff of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective of an alternative upper
handle of a staff according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective of an alternative
central portion of a staff according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective of an alternative lower
end pedestal of a staff according to the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective of still another
alternative upper handle of a staff according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Certain diseases, which afflict mankind, comprise disorders
of the brain making it difficult if not impossible to walk. Among
these are Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
These ailments are such that the human brain is unable to properly
send messages which control muscle movement.
[0020] Sometimes these ailments, and other related ones, are called
motor system disorders. MS attacks the central nervous system
comprising the brain, the spinal cord and optical nerves, but
nevertheless makes walking difficult and, in some cases,
impossible.
[0021] Heretofore, such brain-related ailments, which decrease or
eliminate the mobility of the person afflicted, are largely without
a remedy to restore or impart the ability to walk when desired and
with balance.
[0022] It has been found that the present invention can be used to
stimulate the brain so that, when a low profile ground or
floor-engaging obstacle is placed in front of one foot of the
afflicted person, initially or with repetitious training, the brain
stimulated so as to instruct the leg of the afflicted person to
lift the foot and place it down in front of the obstacle in
accordance with the present invention. After this initial step,
typically the afflicted person is able to take additional steps
with both feet, while grasping the handle of the instrument and
carrying the instrument with him or her. Thus, if the afflicted
person stops after an initial walk and experiences a resistance to
further walking, the above-described process can be repeated and
repeated as many times as necessary so that the afflicted person
can walk from a beginning position to a desired ending
position.
[0023] The foregoing is confirmed by the inventor, who's PD earlier
made walking impossible. Using an instrument in accordance with the
present invention, the inventor is now, once more, able to walk
from place to place, as desired.
[0024] Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like numerals
are used to identify like parts throughout. FIG. 1 depicts, in
perspective, a presently preferred medical instrument, generally
designated 10 by which one afflicted with PD, MS and like
brain-afflicting diseases is able to regain capacity once more to
walk reasonably well using an instrument and a method of the
present invention. The instrument 10 could be described as a
walk-regaining staff or a cane having a significant medical
purpose. Instrument 10 comprises a hand-held portable walking
instrument for retraining an afflicted person having an ailment
curtailing or eliminating an ability to walk and comprises an upper
end comprising a handle 12, which may comprise polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) tubing snugly capped at handle end 14. The handle 12 is
grasped by one hand 16 of the user (the afflicted person) in the
manner illustrated in FIG. 2, for initially positioning the
instrument 10 and to carry the instrument 10 from place to place
after walking has been initiated. The end of the handle 12 opposite
the cap 14 is securely received horizontally into one hollow end of
a PVC elbow 18.
[0025] The instrument 10 comprises a central portion, generally
designated 20, which extends linearly generally in a vertical
direction and comprises, as shown, three sections of tubing 22, 24
and 26. Section 22, at upper end 28, is snugly inserted into and
retained, in a conventional way, in the hollow of the second,
downwardly extending end of elbow 18 and is also conventionally
inserted into and secured to at lower end 30, of a hollow sleeve
32. End 34 of section 24 is snugly inserted into the lower hollow
end of sleeve 32 and secured therein, in a conventional fashion.
The lower end 36 of the section 24 is snugly inserted into the
upper hollow end of sleeve 38 and conventionally secured therein.
End 40 of section 26 is inserted into the lower hollow end of
sleeve 38 and securely retained in that location in a conventional
way. Likewise, the lower end 42 of section 26 is securely inserted
into the upwardly directed hollow leg 44 of a hollow tee generally
designated 46.
[0026] The instrument 10 of FIG. 1 comprises a floor and
ground-engaging pedestal 50, illustrated as having a tee-shape. The
pedestal 50 is constructed so as to retain the instrument 10 in a
stable upright condition upon the ground or floor when not in use.
The pedestal 50 comprises the above-mentioned tee fitting 46.
Pedestal 50 also comprises an obstacle in the forms of a bar 52,
which is placed in front of one foot of the user, as shown in FIG.
3 and explained hereinafter in greater detail. The bar 52 is
illustrated as comprising low profile PVC tubing, with one end 54
snugly inserted into one hollow end of leg 56 of the tee 46 and
retained therein in a conventional fashion. The other end 53 of the
bar 52 snugly receives a cap 58.
[0027] The pedestal 50 also comprises a short linear piece of
tubing 60, one end 62 of which is inserted snugly into the hollow
of leg 64 of the tee fitting 46 and there secured in a conventional
way. The other end 66 of the tubing 60 is inserted snugly into the
hollow of leg 68, which forms a part of a tee fitting, generally
designated 70.
[0028] Leg 72 of tee 70 snugly receives in its hollow end a short
linear piece of PVC piping designated 74, which is secured in the
stated position by conventional means. The free end of PVC pipe 74
is closed by cap 76. The tee 70 further comprises a third leg 78
into the hollow of which is snugly inserted an additional short
linear tubing 80, which is held in the stated position in a
conventional way. The free end of the PVC pipe 80 is closed by a
cap 82.
[0029] The manner of use of instruments in accordance with the
present invention, including but not limited to instrument 10,
which accommodates re-training of one afflicted by PD, MS or any
other brain affliction which makes walking difficult, if not
impossible. Broadly the method of the present invention comprises
grasping an upper handle of a hand held retraining instrument to
accommodate manipulation of the instrument. The lower ground and
floor-engaging pedestal is placed upon the ground an floor with a
lower low profile obstacle or bar being placed as an obstruction in
front of one foot of the user, as shown in FIG. 3 at location 90,
while the person is standing erect thereby stimulating the person's
brain to cause the foot to be lifted from the support surface,
advanced over the obstruction and thereafter placed down on the
support surface. While the initial step may be accomplished
quickly, it is to be recognized for the instrument and method of
the present invention to accommodate successful walking by the
afflicted person, some practice may be required.
[0030] After the initial step over the bar or obstruction,
typically the afflicted person is able, without more, to take
additional steps, moving from an initial position to a desired
position, as the instrument is carried by the user. If, along the
way, the user stops walking for one reason or another, the
obstruction element or bar is once more positioned in front of the
foot and the process repeated. The initial step is illustrated in
FIG. 3, where the foot 90, shown in its beginning position in solid
lines, is lifted over the bar or obstruction 54 and lowered into
the floor or ground-engaging dotted line position 90, also shown in
FIG. 3.
[0031] It is to be appreciated that once walking has been
initiated, the user, grasping the handle 12 will lift the
instrument 10 and carry it with him or her until either
recommencement of walking is necessitated or the destination is
reached.
[0032] It is to be appreciated that, while acceptable, the
horizontally directed handle 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2 need not per se be
lineal and need not per se to be horizontally disposed. For
example, see FIG. 4 illustrating a PVC curved handle 100, secured
to the elbow 18 in the same manner as described in conjunction with
handle 12.
[0033] If desired, the handle of the instrument may be positioned
in a vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 7. The free end of tubing
12 is snugly inserted into one hollow end 102 of elbow 104 and
secured in that position in a conventional manner. The other,
vertical end 106 of elbow 104 is hollow and receives in a secured
manner the lower end 108 of handle 110, the other end 112 of which
is snugly closed by cap 14.
[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates another central segment of an instrument
in accordance with the present which comprises a single piece of
tubing 116, shown to be non-linear. The central portion may, if
desired, be linear and one-piece.
[0035] The configuration of the lower end pedestal of an instrument
in accordance of the present invention need not per se be tee
shaped, as shown in FIG. 1, but may be any one of several
variations, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 6. Specifically, as
shown in FIG. 6, the leg 64 of the tee 46, previously described,
snugly receives leg 120 in the hollow thereof end in a secured
state. The leg 120 is bifurcated at location 122, forming two
spaced legs 124 and 126, respectively capped at 128 and 130 to
close the ends 132 and 134. Thus, the pedestal 118 has three legs
which provide stable support of the corresponding instrument, both
when used and when stored in an upright position.
[0036] It is to be appreciated that instruments in accordance with
the present invention may comprise auxiliary items, such as a GPS
device and/or a cell phone 31 (FIG. 1) or other devices, which
assist the user in utilizing the instrument and methods of the
present invention or in seeking help when needed.
[0037] Also, to make the user more visible at night, fluorescent or
other light reflecting compositions may be added to the instrument,
making the instruments highly visible to other persons including
operators of oncoming vehicles.
[0038] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics
thereof. The present embodiments, therefore, are to be considered
in all respects as illustrative and are not restrictive, the scope
of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than
by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore
intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *